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Pig-to-Human Transplants Could Be Closer Than You Think
PopSci ^ | 10.21.2011 at 3:10 pm | Dan Nosowitz

Posted on 10/22/2011 9:29:06 PM PDT by fight_truth_decay

Two scientists at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh discussed the state of xenotransplantation--the use of cells, organs, or tissue from one animal in another--in a review in The Lancet. In that review, they touch on the history of one particular subject: pig-to-human transplants. Their conclusion? Clinical trials of pig-to-human transplants could begin in just a few years.

Pigs that are genetically modified with genes to protect their organs and other inside bits from attack by the human immune system are capable of all kinds of potentially life-saving effects. Research has been conducted until now with non-human primates, and while these primates have not been able to survive for all that long with pig organs--at best, a pig heart-implanted primate survives for around eight months--that could be enough time to serve as temporary lifesavers. Cells and tissue could be used to counteract human diseases like diabetes (as in this example) and Parkinson's, and have actually shown more success than complete organs.

The paper concludes by saying:

(Excerpt) Read more at popsci.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: convertmuslims; diseases; medicalresearch; pighuman; transgenic; transplants; xenotransplantation
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To: fight_truth_decay
I could have sworn that transplanting heart valves from pigs to humans has been a common practice for at least 35 years.

Guess I could be wrong but I don't think the people I know that have had the procedure would lie to me though.

21 posted on 10/22/2011 10:37:59 PM PDT by R_Kangel (`.`)
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To: R_Kangel

http://inventorspot.com/articles/humans_may_receive_organ_transpl_6900

Ur correct. Valves are. Organs the future...


22 posted on 10/22/2011 10:45:06 PM PDT by fight_truth_decay
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To: fight_truth_decay

I do pig to human transplants all the time. It’s called a BLT.


23 posted on 10/22/2011 11:09:08 PM PDT by BigCinBigD
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To: doorgunner69

Don’t worry about Israel - eating pork is verboten for Jews who keep Kosher, but pig-derived insulin and so forth is just fine. There’s nothing more holy than saving a human life.


24 posted on 10/22/2011 11:34:58 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows (You can't have Ingsoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
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To: fight_truth_decay

Hmmm...I’d’ve diagnosed Popeye and Eeyore with acromegaly and clinical depression, respectively.


25 posted on 10/22/2011 11:38:29 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows (You can't have Ingsoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
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To: All

26 posted on 10/23/2011 12:06:31 AM PDT by onyx (You're here on FR, so support it! Compiling New Sarah Ping List. Let me know if you want on it.)
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To: fight_truth_decay

This would be weird


27 posted on 10/23/2011 1:09:17 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (There's gonna be a Redneck Revolution! (See my freep page) [rednecks come in many colors])
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To: Vigilanteman

Pig to human transplants? Nothing new, just look at Congress and the way they spend money. Their entire insides must be pig.


28 posted on 10/23/2011 1:24:37 AM PDT by NTHockey (Rules of engagement #1: Take no prisoners)
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To: R_Kangel
I could have sworn that transplanting heart valves from pigs to humans has been a common practice for at least 35 years.

I was thinking the same thing. My Mom had a valve replacement over 30 years ago and had to choose between a pig valve and a mechanical one.

29 posted on 10/23/2011 3:36:04 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I am ~Person~ as created by the Law of Nature, not a 'person' as created by the laws of Man)
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To: MamaTexan

Which did she choose?


30 posted on 10/23/2011 4:05:08 AM PDT by Netizen (Path to citizenship = Scamnesty. If you give it away, more will come. Who's pilfering your wallet?)
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To: Netizen
Mechanical. It was rated to last much longer than the pig valve.

On a humorous side note, the mechanical one audibly 'ticked' when her heart rate went up. We teased her about never being able to sneak up on us again.

31 posted on 10/23/2011 4:13:52 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I am ~Person~ as created by the Law of Nature, not a 'person' as created by the laws of Man)
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To: MamaTexan

LOL Do you know if there if there was a big price difference?


32 posted on 10/23/2011 4:19:33 AM PDT by Netizen (Path to citizenship = Scamnesty. If you give it away, more will come. Who's pilfering your wallet?)
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To: fight_truth_decay

Only problem with a pig to human conea transplant, any body thats hunted them can tell ya “pigs can’t see for chit”.


33 posted on 10/23/2011 4:20:31 AM PDT by Dusty Road
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To: Netizen
Sorry, I have no idea..... I was a clueless teenager at the time.

I only remember her being totally aghast at the bill. Valve, surgery, hospital stay and all, it was about $50,000.

34 posted on 10/23/2011 4:29:17 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I am ~Person~ as created by the Law of Nature, not a 'person' as created by the laws of Man)
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To: MamaTexan

I just wondered, considering the mechanical lasted longer, why bother with the pig valve?


35 posted on 10/23/2011 4:31:16 AM PDT by Netizen (Path to citizenship = Scamnesty. If you give it away, more will come. Who's pilfering your wallet?)
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To: Netizen
Good question. I guess some people have an aversion to mechanical enhancements. I just remember her saying that the doctor told her pig valves had a higher rejection rate and usually lasted about 10 years max.

That was way-back-when, though. Things may have changed by now.

------

Do you [or someone close to you] need valve replacement?

36 posted on 10/23/2011 4:38:03 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I am ~Person~ as created by the Law of Nature, not a 'person' as created by the laws of Man)
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To: MamaTexan

No, just found it interesting.


37 posted on 10/23/2011 4:49:02 AM PDT by Netizen (Path to citizenship = Scamnesty. If you give it away, more will come. Who's pilfering your wallet?)
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To: Netizen
LOL! Glad you weren't asking because you needed one.

You sound like me, though.

When I find something interesting, I always want to know MORE!

------

My daughters are the same. Since this trait has resulted in our knowing a bit about a wide variety of subjects, we often refer to ourselves as 'KOOK's.

Keepers Of the Odd Knowledge.

-----

Guess you're a member, too. :-)

38 posted on 10/23/2011 5:22:56 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I am ~Person~ as created by the Law of Nature, not a 'person' as created by the laws of Man)
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To: Iron Munro


39 posted on 10/23/2011 5:23:43 AM PDT by Dem Guard (Obama's 57 States = The Organization of The Islamic Conference (OIC).)
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To: fight_truth_decay; Allegra; big'ol_freeper; Lil'freeper; TrueKnightGalahad; blackie; ...
Hey, frog have know this... for years!

And we are still paying... for it dearly!

According to this, plain old pig... good as long pig!

40 posted on 10/23/2011 5:46:53 AM PDT by Bender2 ("I've got a twisted sense of humor, and everything amuses me." RAH Beyond this Horizon)
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